Chelsea emerged victorious in the Fleet’s final pre-season friendly despite the home side taking the lead twice, writes Katie Humphris. But the talent amongst the Blues ranks, especially up front where Ronnie Stutter and Harvey Vale looked the class and level that they clearly represent, meant the visitors had the result wrapped up in the second-half.
Not that that concerned Fleet boss Dennis Kutrieb too much as he said his side learned good lessons after a previous run of wins in pre-season.
It was the young Chelsea side who started brightly. A crunching tackle from Jack Wakely on Jimi Tauriainen at the edge of the area saw the Blues awarded a free kick. Harvey Vale stepped up to take, his effort was just off target as the Fleet’s number five found himself in the referee’s book within the opening five minutes. The Fleet were through on goal minutes later, Nathan Odokonyero teeing up Edser, who made the run through midfield. That allowed him to lay a ball towards Cundle but just as he was about to take a shot, Brodi Hughes dispossessed him in the area to end the Fleet’s first chance.
The Fleet did find the opener in the 14th minute, however. After a flying run by Darren McQueen, he hit the ground with the ref awarding the home side a free kick. A delivery from Toby Edser floated perfectly into the area, Luke O’Neill headed the ball on and a block allowed Odokoneyro to send the ball into the roof of the net.
It wasn’t long before the visitors found an equaliser. Vale produced a back heel towards Zak Sturge out wide, which found Ronnie Stutter who slammed in an equaliser for the Blues in the 20th minute.
The Fleet soon found themselves back in front courtesy of Edser. A short corner tactical approach from the goalscorer and Josh Wright allowed Edser to run into space to shoot on goal. His effort from about 25 yards floated deceptively into the bottom corner, with a little help from the head of Taurianinen. Chelsea fought back quickly, Donnell McNeilly with a shot from inside the area but his effort dragged wide. The Blues did find that second equaliser, though, Stutter once again on target with a close range strike, to bag his brace in half an hour.
The visitors pushed for a third with another set piece. Ben Elliott opted for a low free kick but it was no trouble for Cousins who made the comfortable save. Chelsea were awarded another free kick in the 36th minute, Vale stepping up this time but his shot from range was off target.
Chelsea did find themselves in front just before half-time, Vale the goalscorer this time. The Chelsea No.10 was able to pick out an accurate spot with great technique to curl the ball round Cousins and nose the Blues in front. There was time for one final chance for the visitors before the whistle, Tauriainen stepping up for the free kick that headed just over.
An action-packed opening 45 minutes came to a close but the excitement for the Blues fans continued on into the second period. Chelsea carried on from where they left off as Vale nicely set up substitute Jimmy-Jay Morgan whose effort scrambled past Cousins to give the visitors a fourth in the 48th minute.
The Fleet came ever so close to scoring a third after that. Edser once again supplied a superb ball to find Coulthirst who was able to get ahead of his man by judging the flight of the ball well. He made the short run on the wing and played a pass towards Greg Cundle. His short delivery at the byline went across goal but no Fleet player was there to convert.
On the hour mark, Chelsea nearly made it five as Morgan made a great run through on goal to outpace the Fleet defence. His shot on goal trickled past the post and it remained 4-2. Morgan soon changed that, grabbing his second of the match as he received a ball from the right and popped up in the perfect position to secure Chelsea’s fifth.
Five soon became six two minutes later as Vale became the third player to grab a brace in this match with a sublime free-kick that sailed into the corner of the net as the young Chelsea side continued to show their quality.
Harrison Murray-Campbell became the second player of the afternoon to be shown a yellow card, his challenge on Franklin Domi’s typically bustling run earning the caution. Tyrique George then nearly made it seven for the Blues, but his close-range back-heel was inches off target.
In the closing stages, the Fleet found another chance of their own as Billy Clifford stepped up to take a corner kick. His delivery found Dominic Poleon at the far post, but his effort was blocked, falling into the path of Wright whose effort was also deflected and Wright then glanced a headed effort just wide.
That was the final chance of the match as Chelsea emerged victors with a convincing performance that certainly encouraged Blues fans about their own future. But for the Fleet, the more immediate future rolls around in seven days!
EUFC squad from: Cousins, Firth, O’Neill, Wright, Wakely, Sterling-James, Cissé, Tanner, McQueen, Poleon, Cundle, Domi, Edser, Clifford, Odokonyero, Chapman, White, Coulthirst, Hollis.
CFC: Merrick, Brooking, Murray-Campbell, Williams, Sturge, Elliott, Hughes, Tauriainen, Stutter, Vale, McNeilly. Subs: Acheampong, Curd, Silcott-Duberry, Gee, Rak-Sakyi, George, Matos, Morgan, Dyer, Boniface.
Attendance: 1,039
